Half-Time Report: Fulham hold comfortable lead

Half time at Craven Cottage sees Fulham hold a comfortable 2-0 lead over Aston Villa in this afternoon's Premier League clash.

Dimitar Berbatov went over in the area on eight minutes, but the referee waved away the claims for a penalty.

Soon after, the Bulgarian forward came close with a header, but Brad Guzan kept his effort out with a fine one-handed save.

The away side broke away quickly on 12 minutes and Christian Benteke came close to giving them the lead, but he could only head Gabriel Agbonlahor's cross wide.

Benteke had another chance on 16 minutes, but the Belgian's low drive was kept out well by the goalkeeper.

Fulham then took the lead on 22 minutes when Steve Sidwell clipped the ball past Guzan from a tight angle to make it 1-0.

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The hosts had a chance to increase their lead on 28 minutes when they were awarded a penalty after Ashkan Dejagah was brought down by Leandro Bacuna.

Berbatov stepped up and calmly stroked the ball into the back of the net to make it 2-0.

Guzan kept out Berbatov on 36 minutes, getting down low to save the striker's effort.

Bacuna fired a free kick just over the bar on 44 minutes as Villa looked to reduce the deficit before half time.